From despair and poverty of spirit, to deliverance by grace through faith, and kept in His agape love

The story of the prodigal son told to us by our Lord and Savior is perhaps one of the most popular in all of Scripture and rightly so, because it paints a picture of such unconditional love from the Father to both wayward sons. I am one of those people that believe though Christ called His stories parables (short earthly stories with a Heavenly meaning) that they all were true accounts of the lives of people that had lived sometime in history.

This story of the prodigal son, however, may have been one that the Lord made up to show the people the heart of the Father for all humanity and especially Israel, His chosen people. But I still, in my heart, believe it is a true account of a real man and his two sons. How many parents reading this would not respond to their son or daughter in the same manner, not all would of course, but I say the majority would react in this way to their wayward child?

I believe the closet human expression of love we find on earth that reflects the Father’s love for humanity is that of a Mother’s love for her children. Recently, we have heard testimonies that will validate what I am saying here. The recent tornadoes’ that ripped through Missouri and other states have given us a picture of true unconditional and sacrificial love expressed by many Mother’s for their children. One surviving daughter in tears told of how her Mother placed her body completely over hers and shielded her from the falling and flying debris and the Mother lost her life to save and preserve her daughter’s life. This is the same love God the Father has shown for all human beings that have ever lived whether they repent and believe on Christ Jesus or not.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (NKJV)

Now listen there are well meaning people in the world today (I think of Oprah) that are wrongly leading people to believe that there are other paths to salvation or deliverance (as our subtitle describes) other than the Lord Jesus Christ. May I as Paul told us in Ephesians to speak the truth in love and say that those words spoken by Oprah and others are being spoken through them by satan. This statement may sound mean, judgmental, and unloving to some who read it and it may make you cringe, but it is the most loving thing I can say to those who are vessels of satan to speak these lies.

If I saw a blind, mute, and deaf man walking toward a railroad track unaware that a speeding locomotive is barreling down the track and that he might not make it across safely should I intervene and save him or let him be? Of course the right answer is for me or anyone who witnesses this misfortune to intervene and help. This is the job of the Church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and every true member of His Mystical Body.

Church members cannot intervene because they do not know or are they partakers of the Head of the Church (Christ) nature. We are not to be rude, abrasive, or arrogant in revealing the truth to people, but we are to reveal the truth in love no matter their response to the truth. When you lovingly share with someone (who believes they are living a good life, helping people, giving money to worthy causes, but they don’t know and love Jesus Christ) that they are wrong and will end up in hell, well expect to be attacked and labeled extreme or fanatical.

Yesterday, I watched a story on a show entitled “View Point” on Real Living TV. One segment of the show was about how there are few Doctor’s that specialize the primary care of seniors. In the segment, one Doctor 31 year’s old (from India) talked about his two grandfathers. He said they both were robust and independent even in their 80’s. One Grandfather found comfort, peace, and strength he said in the teachings of Gandhi.

Is there anything wrong with Gandhi’s teachings? If a person were to talk with this young man would he be showing true love to him by telling him that his Grandfather is in a better place now, without his Grandfather knowing Jesus Christ? Is Gandhi in Heaven? Was he saved before his death? I am not God and I can’t say whether Gandhi is in Heaven or not. But, I can answer with Christ own words, “No one comes to the Father except by or through Me.” Those words are fact and complete truth. Is Gandhi saved and in Heaven? Answer, only if he repented of his sin and trusted Jesus Christ and was then born again. If not he is in hell and that is also fact and truth. You see Christ love is not sentiment or a feel good pill, but it is truth. The Apostle John said these remarkable words in the beginning of his 2nd epistle, 2 John verses 1 and 2:

“To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever.” (NKJV)

Love and truth John tells us go hand in hand. One can’t have one without having the other. John makes a distinction in these two verses of those who know the truth (Christ Jesus) and those who do not know the truth. This is why our Lord said, “I have come into the world for this purpose to bear witness to the truth, and everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” You see this is what differentiates Oprah and others like her from every soul that is truly born again. Therefore, if we love people like this, we must lovingly tell them the truth and pray that God the Holy Spirit will unmask the lie and open their spiritual eyes to Jesus Christ and Him only. The reason people buy the lie is given to us directly from Paul in the Word of God. I must say that the words spoken in this text of Scripture (I’m about to share) makes me tremble every time I read them in Bible Study or during my quiet time and it immediately places me on my face checking my heart condition at that moment (right now even as I write) before my Heavenly Father.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 The coming [of the lawless one, the antichrist] is through the activity {and} working of satan and will be attended by great power and with all sorts of [pretended] miracles and signs {and} delusive marvels--[all of them] lying wonders--And by unlimited seduction to evil {and} with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth {but} refused to love it that they might be saved. Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error {and} a strong delusion to make them believe what is false, In order that all may be judged {and} condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness. (Quick Amplified Bible)

All other religions, cults, or movements (false belief systems, even false Evangelical belief systems) have this one thing in common with the false gods (demons) they worship and that is they don’t love their gods (they can’t because their gods are evil), but they only fear or dread them for what they think they can do to them negatively. Also, they love their sin more than anything and do not want to be delivered from the power of their sin.

Finally, what shall we say to all of this that has been spoken? First we must say, “How shall we escape if we or anyone neglects so great a salvation?” How can you know if Jesus and only Jesus is your Savior? Do you love Him? Are you in love with Him? Do you love His Word and believe every word from His Word without wanting to change it? I say, if your answer is yes to all of these questions then you and I can say with Paul the following:

2 Timothy 1:12 And this is why I am suffering as I do. Still I am not ashamed, for I know (perceive, have knowledge of, and am acquainted with) Him Whom I have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on), and I am [positively] persuaded that He is able to guard {and} keep that which has been entrusted to me {and} which I have committed [to Him] until that day. (Quick Amplified Bible)

“They who love God with all their hearts, find that his ways are ways of pleasantness, and all his paths are peace. Such joys, such brimful delights, such overflowing blessednesses, do the saints discover in their Lord, that so far from serving him from custom, they would follow him though all the world cast out his name as evil. We fear not God because of any compulsion; our faith is no fetter, our profession is no bondage, we are not dragged to holiness, nor driven to duty. No, our piety is our pleasure, our hope is our happiness, our duty is our delight. Delight and true religion are as allied as root and flower; as indivisible as truth and certainty; they are, in fact, two precious jewels glittering side by side in a setting of gold.” By Charles Haddon Spurgeon

If you cannot say these words with Paul and mean them in your heart then you need Jesus Christ to save you. If you would admit to God the Father that you are (right now) a sinner and repent or turn from your sin Christ will save you.

I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God {and} intercede with Him {and} intervene for them. (Quick Amplified Bible)

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Resurrection Life Evangelistic Ministries
“Where the Life we live is all because of The Lord Jesus Christ we Love”
John 11:25 “And Jesus said to her, I am the Resurrection and the Life”
Clifford D. Tate, Sr., Evangelist
P. O. Box 35983
Las Vegas, NV 89133

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW

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The truth has been well spoken in this article. Jesus is the ONLY WAY, ONLY TRUTH AND THE ONLY LIFE. That is what you beautifully expressed in this articles. Jesus Saves and only Jesus Saves! Yes & Amen!